With application deadlines approaching rapidly and an intensified workload for seniors, it’s almost impossible to get one day to relax at this time of the school year. This August to November stretch is the most stressful for seniors; writing essays, submitting applications, and hoping for the long awaited email saying “Accepted.” Even with so many resources, seniors still approach the college application with high stressed mindsets, which is a huge detriment to their college applications. It’s crucial for students to keep perspective and understand that applying to college is a special opportunity, especially within the supportive environment of Campolindo.
Fostering a fixed mindset for a process that requires ample patience and time management is one of the leading causes to this overwhelming stress. Senior Mia Lawrence shared that she began by “brainstorming” and “outlining [her] ideas,” thinking about why she wanted to study her selected major and how she could make herself stand out, however noted that she nurtured a fixed mindset. She began her application with an open perspective and excitement, but as work began piling up, she began seeing the whole process as burdensome which further hindered her ability to write and work with ease.
Managing time is extremely important in getting work done and minimizing stress within the application process. Seniors often overlook the entire process and say “everyone goes through college applications so the overwhelming stress is normal”, but how they approach it is what is most important. The seniors who started their work during summer report a much less stressful schedule for the first semester compared to those who did not. Managing this stress can be achieved through time management and a growth mindset—all of which that most seniors struggle with.
Lawerence later noted that she “should have started in the summer” and “written [her] early action essays first before starting the UCs.” To gain a hopeful perspective and achieve a growth mindset, she noted it’s important to “talk with Ms. Batcheller or a teacher you’re comfortable with to review your essays and give you feedback.” Doing a little bit every day gets the work in as well as minimizes cramming, leaving room for a prospective mindset. There are many hurdles that come with a fixed mindset during this application process: procrastination, writer’s block, or simply general confusion of where to start.
Another senior, Grace Gafni, explained her own experience. She sets the example of fostering a growth mindset and the benefits it has on the entire process. She mentioned she started in “mid-summer”, and “brainstormed a list of anything and everything [she] wanted to talk about.” By approaching each essay with poise and confidence instead of dread and apprehension, it truly sets up for success. Gafni noted that she “managed it well” because she “dedicated Sunday’s to college stuff” and “saved the rest of the week for school work and sports.” A growth mindset means having an open perspective to opportunities.
Campolindo provides many resources to help get seniors on track for submitting their applications and drafting their essays. College counselors, Ms. Batcheller, Ms. Eberhard, Ms. Metheny, and Ms. Reicher are excellent resources to help seniors and provide a glimpse into the opportunities that the future has. Having one-on-one meetings, essay revisions, and talking about the overall application process gives a jumpstart to getting the work done. Procrastinating is what manifests the stress. If seniors let go of the predisposition that college applications are a challenging ordeal, they can approach the process with excitement.
Senioritis, a colloquial term meaning ‘a decline in motivation in students who are nearing the end of their high school,’ may also ironically add to senior stress. It’s normal to experience symptoms of Senioritis: a decreased motivation to attend first period, not getting homework assignments done on time, or giving up on studying. While many seniors may unconsciously develop this “disease”, it’s important to be reminded of deadlines and getting all work done.
A common saying is “junior year gets you into college, but senior year keeps you in college.” Senior year is just as important as every other year, and finding ways to manage that stress, nurture a growth mindset, and enjoy this final stretch should be the main goal. Seniors need to let go of the predisposed ideology that college applications are a stressor, and look at the whole process as a spark for future opportunities.
